Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community

The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts community consists of the largest group of independent artists and crafters in the United States. This famous 8 mile loop has been chosen as Tennessee Heritage Arts and Crafts Trail. The historic strip includes restaurants, cafes, tea rooms, and candy shops. The Smoky Mountain Arts and Craft community was established in 1937 and is filled with artisans which perform many crafts such as carving, painting, sewing, casting, and weaving in order to create original collectable items such as pottery, leather, stained glass, candles, dolls, jewelry, photography, oils, brooms, baskets and quilts.

The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Foundation was established in 2000 to create a heritage museum project in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community that will link its rich cultural past with present day through education, social activity, historical awareness and an archiving of cultural treasures. On September 3, 1999 The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Cultural Heritage Museum project was designated as an official project of Save Americas Treasures. “Save America’s Treasures” is a public-private partnership between the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Save America’s Treasures was started by First Lady Hillary Clinton in May 1998, and is now a national effort to protect America’s threatened cultural treasures and historical structures that document and enlighten the history and culture of the United States. In March of 2000, businessman Billy Proffitt donated the 100 year old, two story, former home of the Coy Ogle family to the Foundation. By August of 2003, this home was reconstructed and restored to serve as a Welcome Center to the Arts and Crafts Community and an initial exhibit for the Heritage Museum.

The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts community is the host of three annual events which include- Easter Arts Crafts Show, Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show and the Christmas Arts & Crafts Show which are all held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Craft lovers are able to experience exhibits and demonstrations of handmade artworks and crafts.

We have several Gatlinburg cabins located in the Great Smoky Mountain Area which will allow craft lovers to have the perfect accommodations while visiting the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. Make your reservations today.